Airplane seat rules (for 4 yr old)

[**guest**]

My mom has offered to pay for ds and I to visit her in CA. (special flight deal). It's a 6 hr flight.

Ds is 4 yrs old. Does he need a carseat? A booster? Just the regular belt?

We'd be flying JetBlue.

Thanks!
Liz

[~ATenthMuse~]

I've flown dd in her Britax (5 hr flight). Last time, a few months ago, she was just turning four. From here on out though, I think we'd just do the sitting in the seat with the belt.

[srain]

Doesn't need a carseat; wouldn't even be able to use a booster (because there is no shoulder belt).

[dallaschildren]

The FAA rules are as follows:

Less than 20 pounds use a rear-facing CRS
From 20 to 40 pounds use a forward-facing CRS
More than 40 pounds use an airplane seat belt
A child may also use an alternative device, such as a a harness-type device, if it is approved by the FAA. The FAA has approved one device appropriate for children weighing between 22 and 44 pounds. This type of device is not safe for use in motor vehicles.
No booster seats are allowed.

Make sure your CRS is government approved and has "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft" printed on it. Otherwise, you may be asked to check the CRS as baggage.
Make sure a child safety device is approved and has "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14CFR 21.305(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only" on it.
Measure the width of your CRS. It should fit in most airplane seats if it is no wider than 16 inches.

So if your son is 40 pounds or less and you would like to use a car seat, it is fine. If he is between 40-44 pounds and you would like to use the FAA approved vest, that is fine too.
Have a safe trip!

Dallaschildren
CPS Instructor and momma to 2 sons in seats

[JBaxter]

If you use a carseat ( the only booster you can use is the apex65 w/ the 5pt harness) there is not alot of leg room for the child and they usually kick the seat in front of them even less if the person in front of you reclines the seat. You also will not be able to use the tray table ( the seat makes it to high to lay down) for coloring,snacks or activities.

[**guest**]

Thanks! I like the idea of the harness...Where can I get one that goes up to 44 lbs?

Right now, ds weighs 37 lbs...not sure if he'll be 40 lbs by the end of May.


Anyone have any ideas about borrowing/getting a carseat to use once we get to our destination? My mom will be picking us up so she will need to have a carseat in her car.

[TwinMom]

You can check his car seat, it does not count toward your luggage total. That way he'll have the one that he's comfortable with, but you don't have to lug it around the airport.

[dallaschildren]

Originally Posted by OdeToJoy

Thanks! I like the idea of the harness...Where can I get one that goes up to 44 lbs?

Right now, ds weighs 37 lbs...not sure if he'll be 40 lbs by the end of May.

Anyone have any ideas about borrowing/getting a carseat to use once we get to our destination? My mom will be picking us up so she will need to have a carseat in her car.

Here is the harness: http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

I would go ahead and check in your own car seat as baggage. If you do not feel comfortable with that, then your mom should purchase one prior to your arrival and have it installed. What would be her budget?

DC

[**guest**]

Ds has the Britax Regent. No way am I taking that.

Originally Posted by TwinMom

You can check his car seat, it does not count toward your luggage total. That way he'll have the one that he's comfortable with, but you don't have to lug it around the airport.

[**guest**]

Her budget would be $100 max. But...I don't know if she'd even be willing to do that. I told her that she should put up a notice at her church to see if she can borrow an up to date carseat.

Does Target (etc) sell a cheap but sufficient car seat?

[**guest**]

Originally Posted by dallaschildren

Here is the harness: http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

Yikes! $75?! Doh, I can't afford that.

[thepeach80]

My son will be 4 next time we fly (and probably 40#) and we're not taking his seat. Though we would if we didn't have 2 other kids that absolutely needed to be in carseats. His carseat will get checked w/ the luggage. We'll probably be bringing his spare seat, the Cosco Apex.

[AuntNi]

Wow, I guess I was totally out of order on our recent plane trip. DD was 4.5, and weighed 48 pounds. She sat in her regular carseat (it does say FAA-approved.) She was really nervous about the flight, so I thought she might be more comfortable with the familiar. I did hold her on my lap during one leg when she wanted to take a nap. Looks like I should have read these regulations more carefuly!

[~ATenthMuse~]

Originally Posted by AuntNi

Wow, I guess I was totally out of order on our recent plane trip. DD was 4.5, and weighed 48 pounds. She sat in her regular carseat (it does say FAA-approved.) She was really nervous about the flight, so I thought she might be more comfortable with the familiar. I did hold her on my lap during one leg when she wanted to take a nap. Looks like I should have read these regulations more carefuly!

I don't think you were. Dd weighed around 40 lbs, and one of the main reasons I brought her seat was so she would be comfortable. She slept better in her seat than she would have without.

[kirstenb3]

We fly at least 2 times a year and check DD's Britax Marathon in with our luggage. The airlines put it in a big plastic bag. We need the carseat to get to the airport anyways and need it right away to leave the airport at our destination. I'm not sure why you wouldn't want to use a carseat that your child (and you) are most comfortable with. You can do a curbside check in to make it even easier. Personally I wouldn't be comfortable with a borrowed or really cheap carseat.
Enjoy your trip.
Adia 4-3-2

[**guest**]

Again, my carseat is too BIG for airline seats. That's why I can't bring my own carseat.

I think it's going to be a moot point anyway because I can't find someone to come with me. I can't me trying to deal with ds all alone on such a long flight. Perhaps next year he'll be more.......er......stable and able to handle change and transitions better.
Oh well.

Thanks for all the replies!

[dallaschildren]

Originally Posted by OdeToJoy

Yikes! $75?! Doh, I can't afford that.

I would email them and see what etailers or retailers sell it. It is fairly new so maybe they haven't started distribution yet to other stores but it won't hurt a thing to ask. Maybe you can find it cheaper.

DC

[dallaschildren]

Originally Posted by OdeToJoy

Again, my carseat is too BIG for airline seats. That's why I can't bring my own carseat.

I think it's going to be a moot point anyway because I can't find someone to come with me. I can't me trying to deal with ds all alone on such a long flight. Perhaps next year he'll be more.......er......stable and able to handle change and transitions better.
Oh well.

Thanks for all the replies!

Maybe you have already answered this and I missed it, but once you get to your mom's, what is he going to be riding in? If she doesn't have one and you aren't bringing one? If he is under 40 pounds it is recommended he be in a car seat and not a booster seat yet. He meets the 4 year old rule but may not meet the 40 pound weight recommendation for booster seat use.


DC

[**guest**]

Yes, I did talk about that. My mom was going to ask her church members to see if they had one that we could borrow.

But, I don't think I'll be going at this point. I just can't travel that long alone with a special needs child.

[Pookietooth]

mama. Sorry to hear you can't do it.